Undergraduate Program

Program Education Objective

Program Description

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME)

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) at UTSA is an interdisciplinary program that combines engineering principles, approaches, and methodologies with biological, chemical and physical sciences in order to define and solve problems in medicine. Students will be trained in the fundamentals of science and engineering and is expected to be able to apply this knowledge to investigate fundamental biomedical engineering questions associated with complex living systems as well as with the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. A broad understanding of sciences and engineering principles is provided in the first two years of the program, with students having the option to choose two concentrations as in-depth focus areas of study in the last two years of the program. Critical thinking and innovative design skills are integrated throughout the program to aid students in developing solutions and in solving biomedical engineering-related problems. Design projects throughout the program and Senior BME Design courses provide students the opportunity to integrate their design, critical thinking and communication skills with the scientific and engineering knowledge they acquired throughout the Biomedical Engineering program. The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Chapter 1, Bachelor’s Degree Regulations).

Program Objective

The objectives of this program are founded on the belief that engineering principles and understanding of biological and physical sciences are critical to the investigation of fundamental bioengineering questions associated with complex living systems as well as with the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. As such, the specific educational objectives of this program are that our graduates will be able to:

Contribute positively in the biomedical engineering industry and/or other sectors such as hospitals, government agencies and academia.

Enhance competence in biomedical engineering by pursuing an advanced and/or professional degree in the practice of bioengineering.

Work successfully as a member in a team environment to facilitate biomedical engineering practices.

The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree is 125, at least 39 of which must be at the upper-division level. All candidates for this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements, the General Engineering requirements, and the degree requirements, listed below.

Program Admission

A first-time, full-time freshman admitted as a biomedical engineering major must meet the minimum admission criteria of the College of Engineering. These criteria are:

Students must meet all UTSA admission requirements;

Students must have credit for MAT 1214 Calculus I or have completed all necessary prerequisites to enroll in MAT 1214 Calculus I (through a mathematics placement test or credit for MAT 1093 Precalculus or an equivalent).

Students must:

graduated in the top quartile of their high school graduation class, or

have graduated in the second quartile of their high school class and have a SAT score of at least 1050 (Reading and Math) or a ACT composite score of at least 22, or,

be granted admission into a College of Engineering major by holistic review by the College of Engineering if not meeting the criteria in i. and ii. above.

All students applying for admission to the Biomedical Engineering program must submit the following supplemental documents to the Department of Biomedical Engineering:

two (2) letters of recommendation,

a copy of the transcript, and

a statement of their interests, professional career goals and how the Biomedical Engineering program will help achieve those goals.

*Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by March 1st*

All transfer students must meet the aforementioned minimum admission requirements for the College of Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering program. Transfer students must also meet the minimum Good Academic Standing Requirements for a Biomedical Engineering Major (see below) in order to be considered for admission to the Biomedical Engineering program. Additionally, transfer students should also have completed at least 15 semester credit hours of mathematics, science, or engineering courses, and have an overall GPA of a 3.0 or better.

Admissions to the biomedical engineering program will be competitive; meeting the aforementioned requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission will be restricted only to the most qualified applicants.

Academic Standing

All students must be in Good Academic Standing in order to remain in the Biomedical Engineering program. The minimum requirements that a student must satisfy in order to remain in good standing as a biomedical engineering major are stated below:

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for all coursework (Cumulative GPA will be calculated on all courses, including previously attempted or repeated courses).

An average GPA of at least 3.0 for all science, mathematics and engineering coursework (GPA will be calculated on all courses, including previously attempted or repeated courses).

Students who fail to meet the above requirements but have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above will be placed on programmatic probation in the following semester. Students who fail to maintain good academic standing after a semester of programmatic probation or who has a cumulative GPA below 2.5 will be deemed to be not in good academic standing as a biomedical engineering major and will be removed from the program.

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
PROGRAM OF STUDY

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering requires the completion of at least 125 semester credit hours. The required curriculum for all students in the program is as follows:

Forms

The objectives of this program are founded on the belief that the engineering principles and understanding of biological and physical sciences are critical to the investigation of fundamental bioengineering questions associated with complex living systems as well as with the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. As such, the specific educational objectives of this program are that our graduates will be able to:

Contribute positively in the biomedical engineering industry and/or other sectors such as hospitals, government agencies and academia.

Enhance competence in biomedical engineering by pursuing an advanced and/or professional degree in the practice of bioengineering.

Work successfully as a member in a team environment to facilitate biomedical engineering practices.

The student outcomes of the Biomedical Engineering program are:

an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

an ability to communicate effectively

the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context

a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

a knowledge of contemporary issues

an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

BME MissionThe Department of Biomedical Engineering is committed to providing a learning environment that encourages discovery and advancement for the betterment of its students and the community. Through its biomedical engineering educational programs, externally funded research and public service, the Department seeks to serve the professional training needs of San Antonio, south central Texas, and beyond. It is committed to developing well-rounded, competitive biomedical engineering professionals to support the University's mission.

UTSA MissionThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development–for Texas, the nation and the world.